Clipboard on smartphones Samsung Galaxy is temporary storage for the text, images, and links you copy. Over time, copy history accumulates here, occupying memory and creating risks of leaking confidential data. If you copied a password, bank card number or personal correspondence, this data can remain in the buffer for weeks - until new entries replace it or until you clear the cache manually.

Unlike iOSwhere the clipboard is reset after a reboot, Android (especially in the shell One UI from Samsung) saves the copy history longer. This is convenient for reusing frequently copied data, but creates security problems. In this article you will learn how completely clear the clipboard on any Samsung Galaxy —from flagships Galaxy S23 Ultra to budget Galaxy A14, including old models on Android 10-13.

Why you need to regularly clear the clipboard exchange

Many users do not even suspect that their smartphone saves up to 20 last copied elements —and it’s not just text. The following can remain in the buffer:

  • 🔑 Passwords and logins from social networks, mail, banking applications
  • 💳 Credit card numbers, CVV codes, payment data
  • 📄 Fragments of personal correspondence (messages from WhatsApp, Telegram)
  • 📷 Screenshots and images (if copied via "Share")
  • 🔗 Links to closed resources or working documents

Practical example: if you copied the two-factor authentication (2FA) code from SMS, and then passed the phone to a colleague to view the photo - he may accidentally see this code in the buffer history. Or worse: if the device is stolen, an attacker will gain access to your data through Settings → Additional features → Clipboard.

In addition to security, a clogged buffer affects performance:

  • 🐢 Slows down the keyboard (for example, Samsung Keyboard or Gboard)
  • 🗄️ Occupies up to 50-100 MB of system memory (on some models)
  • 🔄 May cause crashes when pasting text in messengers
📊 How often do you clear the clipboard?
Never cleared
Once a month
Only when something doesn't work
After copying important data

Method 1: Cleaning through Samsung settings (One UI)

The easiest method is to use the built-in tools One UI. It works on all smartphones Samsung Galaxy s Android 9 and newer, including models Galaxy S20/S21/S22/S23, Note 10/20, Galaxy A5x/A7x i Galaxy Z Flip/Fold.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Scroll down and select Additional functions.
  3. Click on Clipboard (or Samsung Keyboard → Clipboard on older versions).
  4. In the upper right corner, tap on icon ⋮ (three dots) and select Delete all.
  5. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

Check the version of One UI (Settings → Phone information → Version One UI)

Close all applications that use the buffer (messengers, browsers)

Take a screenshot of important data if it has not yet been saved

Reboot the phone after cleaning (optional)-->

If item Clipboard not in Additional functions, that means:

  • 📱 You have an old version One UI (up to 3.1) - try the path Settings → General management → Language and input → Samsung Keyboard → Clipboard.
  • 🔧 The function is disabled - enable it in Settings → Additional functions → Clipboard (switch at the top).
  • 🛠️ A third-party keyboard is used (for example, Gboard) - go to Method 3.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, One UI 5.1 for Galaxy S23) after clearing the buffer, the history may be restored during the next copying. To avoid this, disable the function Save to clipboard in the keyboard settings.

Method 2: Removing via Samsung Keyboard

If you use a standard keyboard Samsung Keyboard, the buffer history is stored directly in its settings. This method is suitable for devices that do not have a separate section Buffer. exchange In Settings.

How to clear:

  1. Open any text input field (for example, in Messages or Notes).
  2. Tap ⚙️ on your keyboard (or hold comma, then select Settings).
  3. Go to Clipboard (or Input history → Clipboard on older versions).
  4. Click Delete all or select individual elements and delete them one by one.
Samsung model Path to the buffer in Samsung Keyboard Max. number of saved items
Galaxy S23/S22 (One UI 5.1+) Keyboard settings → Clipboard 20
Galaxy A54/A34 (One UI 5.0) Settings → Advanced → Clipboard 15
Galaxy Note 20 (One UI 3.1) Settings → General management → Clipboard 10
Galaxy S10 (One UI 2.5) Keyboard settings → Input history 5

If not all copied data is displayed in the buffer history, this means that:

  • 🔄 Some items were automatically deleted after reboot.
  • 📱 You copied data in another application (for example, to Chrome or WhatsApp), which uses its own buffer.
  • 🛡️ Function enabled Secure Clipboard (available on Galaxy S21+ s Knox).
💡

To prevent the clipboard from saving passwords, disable the "Save text with high confidentiality" option in the settings Samsung Keyboard (section "Clipboard → Advanced").

Method 3: Clearing the buffer in Gboard (Google Keyboard)

If you use a keyboard Gboard from Google instead of the standard one Samsung Keyboard, the buffer history is stored in its settings. This method is relevant for users who prefer advanced features (for example, real-time translation or gestures). data-i="157">Tap Gboard for advanced features (such as real-time translation or gestures).

Step by step instructions:

  1. Open any application with an input field (for example, Google Search).
  2. Tap ⚙️ on the keyboard Gboard.
  3. Select Clipboard (or Clipboard history on older versions).
  4. Click Delete all in the top menu.
  5. Confirm the action by selecting OK.

Features Gboard:

  • 🔗 Clipboard history is synchronized with your Google account (if the option is enabled Clipboard synchronizationThis means that the copied data can be available on your other devices.
  • 🔒 To disable synchronization, go to Gboard Settings → Clipboard → Clipboard Sync and deactivate the switch.
  • ⏳ In Gboard history is stored longer than Samsung Keyboard - up to 1 hour (configurable in Settings → Clipboard → Storage time).
⚠️ Attention: If you used the function Save to clipboard (long press on an item in the history), this data will remain even after clearing the standard buffer. To remove them, go to Gboard → Clipboard → Saved items and delete manually.

Method 4: Manual deletion via the file system (for advanced)

If standard methods do not work (for example, the clipboard still shows old data), you can delete history files manually. This method requires root access or use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions for users with root access:

  1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  2. Go to the path: 
    /data/data/com.samsung.android.app.clipboardedge/com.samsung.android.app.clipboardedge/files/

    or (for Gboard):

    /data/data/com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/files/clipboard/
  3. Delete all files with the extension .clip or .db.
  4. Restart the device.

For users without root (via ADB):

  1. Connect the phone to the PC and turn on Debugging USB (Settings → About phone → Build number - press 7 times, then return to Settings → Developer options).
  2. Open the command line on your PC and enter: 
    adb shell pm clear com.samsung.android.app.clipboardedge

    (for Samsung Keyboard) or

    adb shell pm clear com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

    (for Gboard).

  3. Reboot the phone.
What happens if you delete system buffer files without root?

Without superuser rights, you will not be able to delete files manually - the system will block access. However, you can try clearing the cache "Clipboard" application via Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Show system → Clipboard → Storage → Clear cache. This will not delete the history completely, but it will reset some temporary data. Incorrect use of or deleting system files may result in keyboard failures or complete loss of clipboard functionality. Before performing these actions, create a backup copy of your data via

⚠️ Attention: Misuse ADB or deleting system files may cause the keyboard to malfunction or completely lose clipboard functionality. Before performing these steps, please back up your data via Settings → Device maintenance → Backup and restore.

Method 5: Disabling history saving buffer

If you do not want to constantly clear the buffer manually, you can completely disable its saving. This is important for users who value privacy and do not use copy history.

How to disable:

  • 📱 For Samsung Keyboard:
    1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Clipboard.
    2. Disable the switch Save to clipboard.
    3. In section Additional disable Suggest items from the buffer.
  • 🔍 For Gboard:
    1. Go to Gboard Settings → Clipboard.
    2. Disable Clipboard history.
    3. In the section Synchronization disable Clipboard synchronization.

What will change after disconnecting:

  • ✅ The clipboard will be cleared automatically after pasting or rebooting.
  • ✅ No data will be saved in history (even temporarily).
  • ❌ You will not be able to quickly paste previously copied items (you will have to copy again).
  • ❌ Some functions (for example, Smart Paste v Samsung Keyboard) will stop working.
💡

Disabling buffer saving is the most reliable way to protect confidential data, but it deprives you have the convenience of quickly pasting frequently used phrases.

Additional security measures

Clearing the clipboard is only part of protecting your data. To completely secure the copied information:

  • 🔐 Use password managers (for example, Samsung Pass or 1Password) instead of copying passwords to the clipboard.
  • 📱 Configure buffer auto clearing via Tasker or Automate (automation applications).
  • 🛡️ Enable Knox protection on supported devices (Galaxy S21+, Note 20+, Fold/Flip).
  • 🔄 Regularly clear the cache of system applications (Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Show system applications → Clipboard → Storage → Clear cache).

For corporate users:

  • 🏢 Configure policies Samsung Knox via Knox Configure to force clearing of the buffer after exiting the work profile.
  • 📊 Use Microsoft Intune or VMware Workspace ONE to manage the clipboard on service devices.
    • ⚠️ Attention: On some devices, the One UI 4.0+ function may block access to the copy history for third-party applications. If you do not see the copied data in the buffer, check the settings Protected clipboard may block access to copy history for third-party applications. If you don't see the copied data in the buffer, check your settings Samsung Knox in Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings.

    Frequent problems and their solutions

    Sometimes the clipboard behaves incorrectly: not is cleared, does not save data, or shows old information. Considered problems and ways to solve them.

    Problem Possible cause Solution
    The buffer is not cleared through the settings Failure in work Samsung Keyboard or One UI Clear the cache of the "Clipboard" application in Settings → Applications
    The buffer history is empty, but the data is pasted The application uses its own buffer (for example, Chrome or WhatsApp) Clear the data of a specific application or restart the phone
    After cleaning, the history is restored Synchronization with Google account (Gboard) or Samsung is enabled Disable synchronization in the keyboard settings
    The clipboard does not work after the update Firmware failure or conflict with new settings One UI Reset the keyboard settings to factory settings or roll back the update

    If none of the methods helped, try:

    1. Install a third-party application to manage the buffer (for example, Clipboard Manager or Clip Stack).
    2. Reset your keyboard settings: 
      Settings → Applications → Samsung Keyboard → Storage → Reset settings
    3. Check your phone for viruses using McAfee or Samsung Knox Guard (sometimes malware blocks access to the clipboard).
    Is it possible to recover data from the clipboard after cleaning?

    No, after cleaning through standard settings, the data is deleted permanently. However, if you used third-party applications to manage the buffer (for example, Clipper), check their own history. Also, some data may remain in the messenger cache (for example, in Telegram or Viber), if you inserted them into chats.

    Why does the clipboard on Samsung clear itself after a reboot?

    This is standard behavior Android - when you reboot, the system resets temporary data, including the clipboard. However Samsung i Google added history saving functions that override this rule. If the buffer clears itself, check:

    • Power saving settings (mode Optimization can reset the buffer).
    • Updates One UI (in new versions the logic of the buffer may be changed).
    How to clear the clipboard on a Samsung with a broken screen?

    If the screen does not respond to touches, but the phone is on, connect it to the PC and use ADB:

    1. Enable USB debugging (if not enabled, this cannot be done without the working screen).
    2. Connect the phone to the PC and enter the command: 
      adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLIPBOARD_SAVE --es text""

      This will clear the current contents of the buffer.

    3. To completely clear the history, use: 
      adb shell pm clear com.samsung.android.app.clipboardedge

    If USB debugging is not enabled, the only option is to connect the mouse via OTG and control the phone through it.

    The clipboard on Samsung and iPhone are synchronized. How it works. disable?

    If you use Gboard and are logged into the same Google account on both devices, the buffer history can be synchronized via Google Drive. To disable:

    1. On Android: Gboard Settings → Clipboard → Clipboard synchronization — disable switch.
    2. On iPhone: Settings → Gboard → Clipboard → Synchronization — disable.

    Also check if synchronization via Samsung Flow (an application for communication between Samsung devices) is enabled.

    How to prevent certain applications from accessing the clipboard exchange?

    On Android 10+ you can restrict application access to the buffer via Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Special access → Clipboard access. Here you will see a list of applications that can read or change the contents of the buffer. Disable access for untrusted apps.

    On Samsung Galaxy s One UI 3.1+ this function is called Clipboard permissions and is located in Settings → Biometrics and security.